The Infinix S5 Pro (48+40) and Honor 9X Pro represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, they take distinctly different approaches, particularly in processing power. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which device offers the best balance of features and performance.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing smooth multitasking and a more responsive experience, the Honor 9X Pro emerges as the clear winner. Its Kirin 810 chipset, built on a 7nm process, provides a significant performance advantage over the Infinix S5 Pro’s Helio P35. While the S5 Pro may appeal to those on an extremely tight budget, the 9X Pro’s superior processing power justifies the potential price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat12 600/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, March 06 | 2019, July 23. Released 2019, August 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2020, April | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 162.5 x 76.9 x 9 mm (6.40 x 3.03 x 0.35 in) | 163.5 x 77.3 x 8.8 mm (6.44 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.59 inches, 106.6 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12nm) | Kirin 810 (7 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 MP6 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, EMUI 9.1, no Google Play Services |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP, (depth)
QVGA low light camera sensor | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | Motorized pop-up 40 MP, (wide) | Motorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | - | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE (International)5.0, A2DP, LE (China) |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Nebula Black, Quetzal Cyan, Violet | Midnight Black, Phantom Purple |
| Models | X660 | HLK-AL10, HLK-TL10, HLK-L41, HLK-L42 |
| Price | - | About 230 EUR |
| SAR | 0.79 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 104h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1319:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-31.1 LUFS (Below average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 312668 (v8)
GeekBench: 7836 (v4.4), 1911 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 18fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Infinix S5 Pro (48+40)
- Potentially lower price point
- 48MP + 40MP camera setup (suggests good selfie capabilities)
- Decent battery endurance (104h)
- Outdated Helio P35 chipset
- Less efficient 12nm process
- Likely slower performance compared to the 9X Pro
Honor 9X Pro
- Powerful Kirin 810 chipset (7nm)
- Superior CPU architecture (Cortex-A76)
- Brighter and clearer display (517 nits)
- Better thermal management
- Potentially higher price
- Slow 10W charging
- Limited camera details available
Display Comparison
The Honor 9X Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 517 nits and a 1319:1 contrast ratio, providing a visibly more vibrant and clear display experience. While the Infinix S5 Pro’s display specifications are not provided, it’s reasonable to assume it falls short of the 9X Pro’s performance in both brightness and contrast, impacting outdoor visibility and overall image quality. The identical contrast ratio suggests similar panel technology, but the brightness difference is a key differentiator.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are limited. The Infinix S5 Pro’s naming convention (48+40) suggests a dual-camera setup with a 48MP primary sensor and a 40MP secondary sensor, likely for selfies. Without knowing the sensor sizes, apertures, or image processing algorithms, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the Honor 9X Pro, benefiting from the Kirin 810’s image signal processor (ISP), likely offers superior image processing capabilities and potentially better low-light performance. The absence of details on OIS for either device suggests reliance on software stabilization.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor 9X Pro’s Kirin 810 (7nm) utilizes a more advanced manufacturing process and a more modern CPU architecture (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55) compared to the Infinix S5 Pro’s Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12nm) with its older Cortex-A53 cores. This translates to significantly faster processing speeds and improved efficiency. The Kirin 810’s A76 cores offer a substantial performance uplift over the A53 cores in the Helio P35, making the 9X Pro better suited for multitasking, gaming, and demanding applications. The 7nm process also contributes to better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of throttling under sustained load.
Battery Life
Both the Infinix S5 Pro and Honor 9X Pro share an endurance rating of 104 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Honor 9X Pro’s more efficient Kirin 810 chipset likely contributes to better real-world battery performance, especially during demanding tasks. Both devices are limited to 10W wired charging, which is relatively slow compared to modern fast-charging standards, meaning a full charge will take a considerable amount of time.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix S5 Pro (48+40) if you need a functional smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and your budget is extremely limited. Buy the Honor 9X Pro if you prefer a smoother, more responsive user experience, enjoy occasional gaming, and value a more capable chipset for future-proofing and demanding applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Honor 9X Pro handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Kirin 810 chipset in the Honor 9X Pro is significantly more capable of handling demanding games like PUBG Mobile than the Helio P35 in the Infinix S5 Pro. While you may need to adjust graphics settings for optimal performance, the 9X Pro should provide a smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience.
❓ Is the 40MP front camera on the Infinix S5 Pro a significant advantage for selfie lovers?
While a 40MP front camera sounds impressive, megapixels aren't everything. Image quality depends on factors like sensor size, aperture, and image processing. Without further details, it's difficult to say if the S5 Pro's selfie camera is significantly better than the 9X Pro's. The Kirin 810's ISP in the 9X Pro could potentially deliver better selfie quality even with a lower megapixel count.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge either phone with the 10W charging?
With both phones limited to 10W charging, expect a full charge to take approximately 2.5 to 3.5 hours from 0%. This is considerably slower than modern fast-charging technologies, so overnight charging is recommended.
